Associate Director of Digital Solution Design

Do you have the ability to influence senior stakeholders and shape innovative, commercially viable solutions? 

Then consider the role of Associate Director of Digital Solution Design at Reed in Partnership! 

Internal applications for this role close on 30/07/2026

What is the role about? 

The Associate Director of Digital Solution Design, through the leadership and development of the Digital Solution Design function, will define and embed a consistent approach to designing scalable, customer-centred solutions across Reed in Partnership’s services. 

The role will lead the design of end-to-end digital solutions that respond to commissioner requirements, operational needs, and market opportunities. This will include translating business requirements into viable solution architectures across digital, operational, and service design components. 

Digital Solution design will centre on balancing innovation, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and delivery readiness. The role will ensure that all designed solutions are aligned to organisational strategy, compliant with contractual and regulatory requirements, and capable of delivering measurable outcomes. 

A key element of the role will be working closely with Business Development to shape winning bids and propositions, alongside Operational, Digital, and Product teams to ensure solutions are deliverable, scalable, and continuously improved post-implementation. 

Just some of your day-to-day responsibilities will include: 

• Lead and develop the Digital Solution Design function, establishing standards, methodologies, and governance for digital solution design across the organisation.  

• Own and evolve the organisation’s technology strategy, including target architecture, principles, and direction for platforms, integration, and data.  

• Own the end-to-end digital solution design process for new bids, contract mobilisations, and service improvements.  

• Lead digital solution design across business and technology teams, including coordination with third-party suppliers and solution partners.  

• Design commercially viable, operationally effective, and technically scalable solutions that can be reused across contracts and service lines. 

• Work in partnership with Business Development teams to shape compelling, innovative, and commercially robust bid solutions.  

• Lead end-to-end bid digital solution design activity, including early qualification, feasibility assessment, and contribution to winning propositions.  

• Partner with Digital, Product, Engineering, and Data teams to ensure alignment between digital solution design, delivery capability, and product strategy.  

• Lead key digital design decisions, including buy vs build, platform selection, and integration approach, to support long-term scalability and sustainability.  

• Provide authoritative design leadership across bids and service transformation activity, acting as the escalation point for complex digital solution design decisions.  

• Build and maintain strong senior stakeholder relationships, influencing across business, technology, and external partners. 

What’s in it for you? 

A generous base salary (pro-rata for part time), and great flexibility with your working schedule, we offer training, development and progression opportunities. You will have access to the range of Reed in Partnership benefits, which include: 

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata for part time) plus statutory bank holidays 

• Reed Pension Scheme 

• Award Winning Management & Leadership training 

• Professional & Personal Development Funds 

• Bi-annual pay reviews 

• Plus much more that can be found on our website  

• With the chance to dramatically make a difference to the local community, this role offers immense job satisfaction. 

At Reed in Partnership, we live and breathe our values in every decision and action taken, resulting in a collaborative and enjoyable culture within our offices. Our company values – we are fair open and honest; we take ownership, and we work together. 

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone with: 

Essential attainments: 

• Demonstrable digital solution leadership skills with experience building and leading high-performing teams. 

• Proven track record of designing and implementing complex digital service or operational solutions within a multi-stakeholder environment. 

• Strong experience in digital solution architecture design, service design, or business architecture within public services or similar sectors. 

• Experience of working across digital, operational, and commercial domains to create integrated digital solutions. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to translate complexity into clear, deliverable designs 

• A minimum of 2 A-Levels or an equivalent Level 3 Diploma. 

• GCSE English Language at a minimum of a Grade B (or equivalent Level 2 qualification). OR achievement of a Level 2 in Literacy Assessment at interview stage OR International Equivalents. 

Essential criteria: 

• Sound understanding of financial, contractual, and risk management principles. 

• Evidence of applying structured design or project methodologies (e.g. TOGAF, MODAF service design, Agile, or other architecture frameworks). 

• Experience of supporting or contributing to bid development and mobilisation activity. 

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including at senior level. 

• Evidence of contributing to strategic direction and organisational development